Had a nice dinner with some new friends.
With assorted apps:
Rombauer 2006 Chard
Big chard with lots of stone fruits and a significant ammount of oak. I never thought Id say this but there was too much going on. The oak was too much for me though it was matched by the intensity of fruit. I think if it softened, I would like this.
2001 Ostertag Pinot Gris
The nose was like smelling a granny smith apple and so was the palate. I think if you are passionate about granny smith apples youd be in love with this. For me, too linear a wine. Someone joked that they ran out of grapes and made cider instead. Clean though and it worked very well with a marinated clam app someone brought.
2007 Sauvignon blank from Cali. I forget the name. It was from a pinot house.
Nice S blanc, nothing to write home about but refreshing and good with wrapped asparagus.
Dinner was a tenderloin perfectly cooked by our host, with some creamed potatoes and green bean casserole.
2007 Kutch Sonoma (I brought this)
Had yet to try a Kutch. Great berry nose, but the star quality of this wine comes from the smoothness and balance. Everything seems to be in the right ammount. Feels like a big California pinot but has no trace of heat. Big full palate but cleans itself with great acidity. The fruit is still young and undifferentiated but man, what velvety mouthfeel.
2006 Rhys Alesia
In contrast, the Rhys had a slightly alcoholic nose and palate. The intensity of bluish fruits is much more powerful than the Kutch. If Kutch shined for the balance, the Rhys left a mark for the intense power of fruit. Also too young fruit, but delicious. I think I like the Rhys a little more.
1999 Paloma Merlot
I was surprised by how young and lush this wine still is. The nose had some BBQ and red fruits. The palate was full and mouthcoating. A hint of tomato in a good way. Great red fruits but not sweet at all. Went well with the steak.
2004 Maybach (my second contribution)
Big ass cab nose, just like I like it. Great spice on the nose as well. I usually prefer to drink big wines by themselves. Food matching doesnt interest me much, but this wine went oh so well with the beef, that I will drink some more Maybach with meat. Burly in its size and full of lush red and black fruits. Lots of baking spices. Long sweet finish. I am in love with this bottle. Too bad it was my last 04.
I brought the desserts, Tiramisu and a coconut flan. Both family recipes.
We had a ten year old Canadian Ice Wine. I didnt catch the name. It tasted like creme brulee in a bottle, which went very well with the flan.
A great night and I got to try some wines Id been meaning to, particularly the Rhys and the Kutch.